Dishonorable Military Conduct

September 07, 2004

Four top officials at the U.S. Air Force Academy were removed last year amid allegations that at least 50 female cadets had been sexually assaulted in recent years and that their alleged assailants were rarely prosecuted or even disciplined.

Similarly disturbing allegations have now been made against the armed services across the board. Congress and the Pentagon are investigating.

The Air Force conceded last week that the problem is worse than previously believed. After a four-month study the Air Force estimated that as many as 95 percent of sexual assaults might not be reported out of fear.

Hundreds of female service members say they have been raped or sexually assaulted by male colleagues in Iraq, Afghanistan and other places where U.S. forces are stationed. They claim that victims often do not get medical or psychological help. Sometimes, complainants are forced to return to work in the same unit as the alleged attacker. There is no policy to prevent such a misguided practice.

Many victims have turned to the Miles Foundation, a nonprofit civilian advocacy group in Newtown that employs lawyers, trauma specialists and social workers. Executive Director Christine Hansen told Congress this year that the group has helped 6,000 survivors of sexual violence in the military in eight years.

Congress began its investigation after The Denver Post reported that accused rapists in the military most often receive administrative sanctions rather than a court martial. Commanders, rather than military prosecutors, decide whether servicemen will face criminal charges.

Women are vulnerable because of social isolation, fear of negative impact on their careers if they complain and a culture of ``hypermasculinity within the military,'' according to Ms. Hansen.

More than 200,000 women serve in the Armed Forces. They go overseas on dangerous missions alongside male colleagues. They should not have to worry about being assaulted by fellow soldiers.

The most effective preventive is to criminally prosecute those charged with abuse and to punish those found guilty. The military command and its civilian leaders owe our men and women in uniform protection from the enemy within.